adminAuxilia Katongomara Saturday Leisure Correspondent
THE country’s fastest growing beauty pageant, the Miss Universities Zimbabwe, is here and the brainy ladies from across the country are now gearing to take to the ramp.The finals of the pageant, in which four girls from Nust will take part, would be held at Ochi-City in Harare next Saturday.
A number of models have in the past shown high levels of ‘daftness’ in the question and answer segments of the beauty contest but the universities one should be different because the models are all learned people.
The pageant, now in its fourth year, has been consistent and has offered top prizes for its winners, challenging most competitions including the Miss Zimbabwe, the country’s premier modelling showcase.
This year the top three will walk away with prizes, which range from scholarships and a Nissan March for the queen, among many other prizes.
The Miss Universities Zimbabwe seeks to give a platform to students by giving them a chance to realise that they can do more than just studying by participating in different co-curricular activities.
The ball is now rolling and models are already in boot camp ahead of the finals in Harare. One of the pageant’s organisers, radio and television presenter, Prominence Makaza, said a total of 30 girls will be battling it out for the crown.
“All the girls are now gearing for the final and are now in camp for a week. While in camp they will be exposed to a variety of life skills such as educational programmes, mentorship and entrepreneurship training,” he said.
Makaza said the organisers managed to scout for talent from almost all the universities in the country. Universities taking part in the finals are Nust, Women’s University in Africa, University of Zimbabwe, Bindura University of Science Education, Harare Institute of Technology, Midlands State University, Great Zimbabwe University and Chinhoyi University of Technology.
All other universities have confirmed participation except Lupane University. Makaza said the Lupane university’s dean of students said they were likely to send two girls whereas the previous year, the administrators had highlighted that they were not interested in being part of the pageant.
The models will also stand a chance to visit Great Zimbabwe monuments in Masvingo during the boot camp period. Makaza said a talent show will be held on Thursday and parents of participating students were invited to the event.
Last year, Nust student, 26-year-old Mellisa Shumba was crowned Miss Universities Zimbabwe. Her prizes included a brand new Nissan March, a laptop, a Blackberry phone and a scholarship.
Some of the finalists that will be taking to the ramp include, Bokani Nleya (Nust), Bathabetsoe Nare (MSU),Valerie Gugulethu Chingonzo (WUA), Ratanang Joana Noko (Nust) Donna Ncube (Nust), Fungai Linda Mawada (ZOU), Siboninkosi Hove (AU), Nelitha Mtunzi (Hit), Melissa Moyo (UZ), Audrey Matambanadzo (MSU), Linda Assa Hove (MSU),Carol Mandizvidza (BSU),Carol Mutasa (UZ), Chenai Manyumwa (BSU), Faith Rutendo Mukushwa (BSU), Francesca Mutepfa (CUT), Karen Zuze (CUT), Queen, Kimberly Dacosta (UZ), Mugove Chagonda (BSU) Petrah Mukandi (CUT), Phalen Mapfurire (CUT), Simbiso Mutandavari and Susan Nyabunze ( MSU).
Online Reporter